The Braille Forum Vol. IX September 1970 No. 2 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * Editor: Alma Murphey 4103 Castleman Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 * Associate Editors: George Card 605 South Few St. Madison, WI 53703 Earl Scharry 5714 Ridgway Ave. Rockville, MD 20851 * President: Reese Robrahn 329 Woodbury Lane Topeka, KS 66606 * National Representative: Durward K. McDaniel 20 E Street NW Suite 215 Washington, DC 20001 To inform its readers and to provide an impartial Forum for discussion. ***** ** Table of Contents Notice to Subscribers President's Message Two New Affiliates -- New York and New Mexico ACB Board of Publications Report, by M. Helen Vargo Convention Report, by Mary Jane Schmitt Resolutions Adopted By The 1970 Convention VISTA Is Formed Randolph-Sheppard Amendments of 1970 -- S. 2461 Postal Reform Act and Vending Concessions R.S.V.A. Holds Second Annual Convention Illinois Vendors' Association Becomes the Nominee Agency, by Durward K. McDaniel Vending Stand Suit Filed in U.S. Supreme Court Blind Lawyers Conference -- 1970, by John Vanlandingham VIDPI Holds Annual Meeting Blind Lions Organize, by Fred C. Lilley Bad News for Handicapped Workers Thank You from Loretta Freeman ACB Tape Service The Luckiest Guy in the World Vitamins for Retinitis Here and There, by George Card Blind Students to Form Interest Group ACB Officers Directors ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large type, and on tape -- seven-inch, dual track, ips 3-3/4. Subscriptions and address changes should be sent to Floyd Qualls, who is in charge of our three mailing lists. His address is: Mr. Floyd Qualls, 106 N.E. 2nd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Items intended for publication should be sent to the editor or to one of the associate editors. Those much-needed and appreciated cash contributions should be sent to ACB Treasurer Fred Krepela, 241 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301. ***** ** President's Message The 1970 Oklahoma City ACB Convention was a tremendous success. Kansans have always claimed -- and many have agreed with us -- that the 1967 Wichita, Kansas, Convention was the greatest in the history of ACB; however many of us are reluctantly now conceding that the "Okies" have at least equaled our performance. So, to the Oklahoma Federation and to Floyd Qualls, 1970 ACB Convention Program chairman, we express our gratitude and appreciation for a tremendous job well done. Each year it becomes more and more apparent that ACB is reaching and bringing into active participation in the organized blind movement substantial numbers of new people with no previous association with organizations of the blind on the national level. Our Convention attenders may be characterized as enthusiastic, well informed, talented, and eager to work individuals. Our Conventions may be characterized as well planned and informative, with program items of interest for all and growing in numbers and scope beyond our fondest dreams. Affiliate charters were officially presented to four new affiliates. I have heretofore welcomed the Alabama Federation of the Blind and the Iowa Council of the Blind. In March and June applications were approved for affiliation of two new groups, the New York State Council of the Blind and The Las Luminarias of the New Mexico State Council of the Blind, respectively. The New York State Council organized with eighty members, primarily based in upper New York. The names and addresses of the officers of this fine new affiliate are: President: Donald Connorton, Rochester, New York 1st Vice-President: Mary Jane Schmitt, Rochester, New York 2nd Vice-President: Betty Jones, Utica, New York 3rd Vice-President: Irwin Lutzky, Brooklyn, New York Secretary: Sue Harden, Tonawanda, New York Treasurer: Ed Duffy, Palmyra, New York This new affiliate has mapped out plans to expand so as to encompass the entire state of New York. Though there are many agencies and organizations for the blind in the Empire State, the organized blind movement in that state for many years has been and is now very impotent. The state is virtually virgin territory. The Las Luminarias of New Mexico, based primarily in the Albuquerque area, certified fifty voting members. This fine organization is not newly organized, for some years has been a vital moving force representing in particular Spanish-American and Mexican-American blind citizens of New Mexico. The name and address of the President is: Gene R. Bobeen, P.O. Box 1881, Albuquerque, New Mexico This dynamic new affiliate had six delegates at our Convention. The chairman of the delegation was Mrs. Barbara Vigil. It was apparent to all Convention goers that the members of the Las Luminarias delegation were well oriented in parliamentary procedures and that they practiced and have an abiding belief in the democratic process. A hearty welcome to these two new fine affiliates. In the May issue of the BRAILLE FORUM there appeared as a last-minute addition the new Kansas vending stand act which we like to call the little Randolph-Sheppard Act for Kansas. Unfortunately, some of my comments concerning the same and some of the Act itself were inadvertently deleted. Because of many inquiries and requests this vending stand act is being reprinted and will be available soon upon request. This vending facilities legislation was modeled after the Randolph-Sheppard Act with amendments now as of this writing still pending in congress but of course it has been modified to conform to Kansas administrative structures and some new features were included such as an advisory committee to the licensing agency whose membership is made up of the director of the Kansas licensing agency and five representatives from the Kansas vending stand organization of operators, and Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Kansas, Inc. Another outstanding feature of the Act is that its provisions extend to city and county properties as well as properties of the state of Kansas; however, by consent there was agreement to exclude from the provisions of the Act third class cities, school districts and the Kansas Turnpike and Park Authorities. We believe that the way is now open in Kansas under the provisions of this Act for a substantial widening of opportunities for vending facility employment; and we believe that this legislation can serve as a model for all state programs. The American Council stands ready to assist any organization in the improvement of vending facility legislation in any state. ***** ** Two New Affiliates -- New York and New Mexico On July 17, 1970, at the ACB Convention Banquet certificates of affiliation were presented by George Card, National Membership Chairman, to Mary Jane Schmitt for the New York State Council of the Blind and to Barbara Vigil for Las Luminarias of the New Mexico Council of the Blind. These affiliates are numbers 25 and 26, respectively. Don Connorton of Rochester and Gene R. Bobeen of Albuquerque are the presidents of these new affiliates. Both of these organizations sent large delegations to the 1970 convention, and they will be well represented in 1971 in Milwaukee. Six new organizations are making progress and will be ACB affiliates at the Milwaukee convention. Interest is increasing in several other organizations, and they will be welcomed into the ACB partnership. ***** ** ACB Board of Publications Report By M. Helen Vargo At the 1969 annual convention of the ACB, with approval of the Board of Directors, the Board of Publications announced the establishment of the Ned E. Freeman Memorial Award. The Award consists of $100.00 and an appropriate certificate. The award year is July 1 through June 30, and the award winner is to be announced at the annual convention beginning with the one in 1970. The three editors comprise the selections committee, and they are presently in the process of developing some specific guidelines which they will use in choosing the article for which the award will be given. They also plan to more vigorously encourage participation in this contest when more space is available. The Board of Publications met in Oklahoma City during the recent ACB convention. Perhaps our most pleasant task was to unanimously approve the recommendation of the Forum editors to bestow the first Ned E. Freeman Memorial Award on our beloved Loretta -- Ned's wife. The editors and the Board of Publications could think of no more fitting tribute to ACB's founding president, and long-time Forum editor, than to present the first memorial award to his wife for her many years of devotion to the production of the Braille Forum. In response to several requests, the Board plans to conduct a seminar spot for affiliate publications editors during the '71 annual convention. Also, for your convenience, we plan to print the names and addresses of our affiliate editors as soon as the information is available. By the time of the 1971 annual convention, the Board plans to have a policy statement for the Forum finalized. With a specific plan of action agreed upon, we feel safe in predicting that by the time of the next convention it will be ready for all to read. George Fogarty, California, and Alaric Nichols, Vermont, were re-elected to serve on the Board of Publications, and Wyman Howard is a newly elected member. Kenneth Hinga, an appointed member of the Board, still serves. Don't hesitate to contact any of us or any of the editors regarding your concerns or ambitions for the Braille Forum or other possible publications. ***** ** Convention Report By Mary Jane Schmitt The 1970 ACB convention was everything the Okies advertised it would be and then some! It had something for everyone running the gamut from Senator Jennings Randolph and International Lions President Dr. Robert D. McCullough on the one hand to Allie Reynolds and Wanda Jackson for those favoring lighter entertainment. Since these items will be covered elsewhere in the Forum, this article will deal only with the three business sessions. The Guidelines Committee under the capable Chairmanship of Helen Vargo, produced a fine set of guidelines to assist future convention chairmen. There was a report by the Treasurer as well as one from the Board of Publications followed by reports from the Legislative and Finance Committees. Durward McDaniel summarized his activities as the ACB National Representative. Representatives from the special interest groups made their reports, and it is my pleasure to tell you that the secretaries, the lawyers, and the members of the ACB Service Net voted to affiliate in the very near future. Five resolutions were adopted by the convention, and three were tabled. Delegates from the Georgia Federation of the Blind brought to the convention a resolution relative to a change in ACB voting procedure. Because such a change would necessitate an actual Constitutional amendment, a motion was adopted to refer the Georgia proposal to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, this committee to report on it at the 1971 convention. This was an election year, and the following were elected: President, Judge Reese H. Robrahn (Kansas); First Vice-President, Dr. S. Bradley Burson (Illinois); Second Vice-President, Vernon Williams (South Dakota); Secretary, Mary Jane Schmitt (New York); Treasurer, Fred Krepela (Oregon). Directors for four years will be: Catherine Skivers (California); George Card (Wisconsin); Floyd Qualls (Oklahoma); and Earl Scharry (Maryland). Alaric Nichols (Vermont), Wyman Howard (Iowa), and George Fogarty (California) were elected to the Publications Board. ACB convention festivities in 1972 will be held in Portland, Oregon. ***** ** Resolutions Adopted by the 1970 Convention * Resolution No. 70-01 WHEREAS, the College Work Study Program authorized by Act of Congress helps to provide remunerative employment for college and university students thereby materially assisting them to obtain an education; and WHEREAS, such students may be assigned to do work in the public interest for nonprofit organizations; and WHEREAS, such an assignment of students could be arranged by a nonprofit organization to make such student manpower available for the performance of work in the public interest for nonprofit organizations and blind individuals in meeting their scholastic and vocational requirements; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the convention of the American Council of the Blind, on July 18, 1970, at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that a national service plan to sought by ACB to utilize the resources of the College Work Study Program. Adopted by convention July 18, 1970. * Resolution No. 70-02 WHEREAS, the Visually Handicapped Merchandisers of Illinois (licensed Randolph-Sheppard vendors), an affiliate of the Illinois Federation of the Blind, Inc., petitioned the IFB for help in efforts to secure redress for a long list of alleged grievances, reported to have accumulated through years of unsolved conflicts, problems and accusations between the Vendors on one hand and the licensing agency, the Illinois Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and its nominee agent, Business Opportunities for the Blind, Inc., on the other; and WHEREAS, the IFB, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, Inc., in a preliminary investigation, judged the VHMI complaints to be not only founded in apparent fact but also too complex to be readily resolved by the resources within the IFB; and WHEREAS, an appeal to the ACB for legal counsel and guidance was immediately granted; and WHEREAS, the ACB gave legal counsel in preparing formal charges; and gave the Washington Representative released time to come to Chicago not less than eleven times between December, 1969 and June, 1970 to direct six months of litigation, administrative hearings and on-site investigations; and WHEREAS, previous attempts to resolve these issues without the help and prestige of a national organization such as ACB failed; and WHEREAS, the success of this effort is evidenced by a written agreement between the IDVR and the VHMI giving the Vendors a direct voice in the day-to-day management of their program; and WHEREAS, the help given by the ACB to one of its affiliates shows creativity and progressive imagination with a potential influence on an established nationwide program for the blind; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Illinois Federation of the Blind, Inc. hereby thanks the American Council of the Blind, Inc. for the legal counsel and professional leadership it gave to the Visually Handicapped Merchandisers of Illinois, Inc., an affiliate of the IFB. Adopted by convention July 18, 1970. * Resolution No. 70-03 WHEREAS, the availability of up-to-date technical material in braille is a continuing problem for visually impaired persons engaged in technical fields; and WHEREAS, the Library of Congress has, through special and diligent efforts, caused the creation of a braille magazine known as DATAMATION, especially for the use of those studying or working in the field of data processing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the American Council of the Blind, assembled in convention at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 18, 1970, expresses its appreciation and commendation to the Library of Congress for its interest in the need for technical braille publications and, in particular, for its development and publication of DATAMATION, and that the President of the American Council of the Blind be instructed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Library of Congress and other appropriate officials. Adopted by convention July 18, 1970. * Resolution No. 70-04 WHEREAS, the need exists for the accumulation and dissemination of information and facilities of particular interest and aid to visually impaired students; and WHEREAS, students in attendance at this convention feel that the American Council of the Blind could be of great assistance in the development of a program and association of visually impaired students from the secondary level up, and that the purposes of this organization would include: A. Help with social adjustment to the school environment; B. Discussions of study techniques; C. Development of materials in special media; D. Investigation of mechanical aids useful to the student; and E. Mobility suggestions for students; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind, assembled in convention at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this 18th day of July, 1970, that the President of the American Council of the Blind be authorized and instructed to appoint such committees or persons as he shall deem appropriate to develop such a student organization as an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind to meet at the next general convention of this body. Adopted by convention July 18, 1970. * Resolution No. 70-05 WHEREAS, a large number of blind persons are now or soon will be employed with the Federal Government in G.S. career positions; and WHEREAS, in order for the blind person to continue to advance, it sometimes becomes necessary for the blind employee to have access to a reader for the blind; and WHEREAS, the time that this reader is utilized may vary a great deal, depending upon the nature of the work performed; and WHEREAS, under certain existing regulations, the employing agency is not permitted to pay for this reader for the blind which means that such reader service is inadequate and that the blind person sometimes must, as a practical matter, provide this service as his own expense or through volunteers; and WHEREAS, the problems inherent in some of these alternatives are obvious; and WHEREAS, the Civil Service Commission is currently studying new regulations dealing with this problem; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled July 18, 1970, at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, make it known to the Civil Service Commission and other appropriate Federal agencies and officials that this body is in support of changes in the Civil Service regulations which would enable employing agencies to employ additional personnel as a reader for the blind and that such additional personnel should not be charged against the existing allotted positions of the agency and that the employing agency be permitted to assign an employee, on a part-time basis, to serve as a reader for the blind. Adopted by convention July 18, 1970. ***** ** VISTA Is Formed The first meeting of the newest professional group organized with the help of the American Council of the Blind, the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association, was held on July 13 and 14 in Oklahoma City. This meeting covered Civil Service examinations and employment and the training and placement of medical secretaries. It was the consensus of the opinion of all those present that standards or training personnel entering this field should be established to guide rehabilitation counsellors. In addition, it was the unanimous desire of the group that a permanent organization should be formed not only to act as an instrument in exchanging ideas among people working in the field but also as a vehicle to voice the opinions and needs of visually impaired secretaries and transcribers generally throughout the country. It was, therefore, decided to form an organization to be known as the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association; that this organization should be incorporated as soon as possible, and that when the membership permitted, the group should affiliate with the American Council of the Blind. Thereafter, bylaws were adopted, and officers and members of the Board of Directors were elected. These elected officials are Betty Ann Jones of Utica, New York, President; Assunta Lilley of Richmond Heights, Missouri, 1st Vice-President; Frances Whitley of San Francisco, California, 2nd Vice-President; Betty Briggs of St. Louis, Missouri, Secretary; Charles Johnson of Baltimore, Maryland, Treasurer; Albert Derda of Catonsville, Maryland, Member of the Board; Fanny Mayfield of Nashville, Tennessee, Member of the Board; Carole Walker of Nashville, Tennessee, Member of the Board; and Pamela Loveland of Merced, California, Member of the Board. Anyone wishing further information regarding VISTA should contact Betty Ann Jones at 907 Harper Street, Utica, New York 13502. ***** ** Randolph-Sheppard Amendments of 1970 -- S. 2461 Previous articles on this legislation appeared in this magazine in its September, 1969, and January, 1970, issues. Public hearings were held on these progressive liberalizing amendments on July 9 and 10, 1970, by the Subcommittee on the Employment of Handicapped Workers of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. As we went to press. the Committee Print of the bill made the following substantial changes: In the section dealing with the provision of adequate space and other arrangements for the operation of vending facilities on Federal property restrictive language was added, which could cause problems in some rented buildings. The new language is: "This subsection" (namely the one requiring provision of adequate space, etc., for the operation of vending facilities) "shall not apply to the rental of space by the Government in a building wherein the lessor retains space for a restaurant or other establishment which would be in competition with a blind operator of a vending facility purveying food and other articles." Another provision added by the Subcommittee would authorize the use of set aside funds for a new purpose -- that of "providing operators of vending facilities retirement benefits and benefits while they are on appropriately granted leave from such vending facilities by the State licensing agency." The only other important change made by the Sub-committee dealt with the applicability of the Randolph-Sheppard Act to the newly reformed Post Office Department. This change is as follows: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this Act are applicable to any agency, establishment, or other entity created within the government of the United States to carry out the duties and functions of the Post Office Department or any other department or agency of the United States." Otherwise S. 2461 is substantially as it was agreed upon by all of the major organizations of and for the blind. The Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and the American Council of the Blind jointly presented testimony by Durward K. McDaniel and filed a written statement in support of the bill. Prospects for enactment of S. 2461 are good. It is impossible to predict what the status of this bill will be as you read this, but you will be notified by special bulletin when it passes the Senate. The special bulletin will report any additional changes and will identify the Committee of the House of Representatives which will next consider S. 2461. ***** ** Postal Reform Act and Vending Concessions Vendors have been greatly concerned about postal reform legislation because the Joint Conference Report failed to cite the Randolph-Sheppard Act as one of the applicable laws. When the Joint Conference Report was considered by the Senate, Senator Randolph succeeded in adding the following amendment: "The following provision shall apply to the Postal Service ... (3) Section 107 of Title 20 (known as the Randolph-Sheppard Act, relating to vending machines operated by the blind);". This amendment is now a part of the law. Note that the citation, Section 107 of Title 20, is the entire Randolph-Sheppard Act, whereas the parenthetical reference uses the words "vending machines". This fact does not necessarily create a problem. In any event, your attention is called to a new section of S. 2461 which makes the Randolph-Sheppard Act applicable to the newly constituted Post Office Department. That new section is reported in another article in this issue. ***** ** R.S.V.A. Holds Second Annual Convention The second annual convention of RSVA was held in Oklahoma City and was very successful. The cooperation by the RSVA with Charles Simpson contributed greatly to its success. There were many interesting speeches and discussions. Nolan Harrison of Texas was the chairman of the panel of operators from various states. There was a panel of agency directors, and the operators could ask questions. There was a very enjoyable reception for the operators hosted by RSVA on Monday evening. The highlight of the convention was at Tuesday's luncheon when Durward McDaniel presented a plaque on behalf of the RSVA to Senator Jennings Randolph and Leonard Robinson. Senator Randolph's speech was very interesting and informative. He seemed confident that the Randolph-Sheppard amendments would be passed but urged that we write to our individual senators. On Wednesday morning it was learned from Mr. George Majors, from Health, Education and Welfare, that the postal reform bill was going to the joint conference committee and the Randolph-Sheppard Act was still deleted from it. At this time, it is my sad duty to inform the readers that the postal reform bill still omits the Randolph-Sheppard Act. However, S. 2461 has been amended to cover this loss. Also it has been amended to provide vendors with hospitalization and retirement. We vendors and anyone who is interested should write or wire his senators requesting their support in passing S-2461. The defeat of the Randolph-Sheppard amendments could mean the loss of postal locations, as well as others. New officers were elected on Tuesday afternoon. The officers are as follows: President, Wally Menning, Oregon; First Vice Pres., Don Cameron, Florida; Second Vice Pres., Homer Steele, Illinois; Secretary, Casey DeLint, California; Treasurer, Wayne Gilmore, Kansas. Respectfully Submitted, Casey DeLint RSVA Secretary and Publications Chairman NOTE: This is an appeal to all blind vending stand operators and other interested parties, to come to the support of S. 2461. This is the amended Randolph-Sheppard Act originally passed in the thirties. This bill if passed will make possible thousands of business opportunities for the visually handicapped in this nation. Your United States Congressmen and Senators must know if you are interested in the passage of this bill. If you are, then write, phone or send him a telegram expressing your views. If you do not know who your Congressman or U.S. Senator is, call the Registrar of Voters or your local newspaper. Then get your message off to Washington immediately, as time is running out on this measure. Your support will be appreciated by the thousands of qualified blind people in the United States who are anxiously waiting the opportunity to be self-supporting. Respectfully yours, Wally Menning President of RSVA Leonard J. Goeser Legislative Representative ***** ** Illinois Vendors' Association Becomes the Nominee Agency By Durward K. McDaniel For the first time in any federal-state vending stand program an organization of licensed blind operators has become the nominee agency of the state licensing agency to provide management and supervisory services for the operation of the program. This history-making arrangement began at the end of June, 1970, when an agreement was reached by the Visually Handicapped Managers of Illinois and the Illinois Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The VHMI succeeds to the position held by a non-profit corporation, Business Opportunities for the Blind, Inc., from 1937 to 1970. The March 1970 issue of THE BRAILLE FORUM reports on the controversy which preceded the agreement. At the request of the operators, Alfred Slicer, Director of DVR, on December 18, 1969, gave notice of termination of the agreement with the old nominee agency. The termination was effective as of June 30, 1970. The VHMI has employed the necessary staff and has established administrative committees for the performance of its obligations according to the new agreement. In making the agreement with VHMI, Alfred Slicer recognized the interest of the vendors in the successful operation of the program and their ability to accept the new responsibility of management. VHMI represents all of the blind operators of vending stands in Illinois. It is affiliated with the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and with the Illinois Federation of the Blind. Terry King, 6045 North Newburg Street, Chicago, Illinois 606311 is president of VHMI. The lawsuit reported in the March Issue was dismissed, and several administrative hearings were held in response to a petition filed by VHMI and several of its officers. It now appears that very few vending locations will be lost by reason of the change in nominee agencies. A new issue arose in May when the old nominee agency disregarded a DVR order which directed it not to collect set-aside funds from the operators for the 12-week period ending June 30. Plans have been made to recoup the amounts improperly collected by off-setting deductions from reimbursement payments. Still unresolved is the issue of the reserve funds still held by the old nominee agency. Ken Griffin has been employed by VHMI to direct the program. VHMI has been represented in litigation, administrative hearings, and negotiations by S. Bradley Burson of Illinois and by Durward K. McDaniel of Washington, D.C. The latter's services were made available without cost to VHMI by the American Council of the Blind. VHMI paid the actual expenses connected with the work done. The Visually Handicapped Managers of Illinois and the Illinois Division of Vocational Rehabilitation have initiated a unique and progressive arrangement which will be of great interest to operators and administrators throughout the country. ***** ** Vending Stand Suit Filed in U.S. Supreme Court A petition for a licensed blind operator of a vending stand and his state licensing agency was filed in the U.S. Supreme Court on July 9, 1970 by Durward K. McDaniel of Washington, D.C. and Charles V. Hamm and J.J. Wigglesworth of Topeka, Kansas. The litigation was commenced in May of 1968 after a Post Office official had directed the Kansas State Board of Social Welfare to remove vending machines from the Post Office in Kansas City, Kansas. For 10 years, by agreement with the Post Office, a licensed blind operator of a vending stand had received revenue from the vending machines in the Post Office. The reason given for requiring the removal of the vending machines was to permit an Employee Welfare Committee to contract for the installation of other machines and to receive the revenue from them. In its Memorandum of Decision the U.S. District Court said, in part, "The fact that income from the machines may be diverted to Postal Employees' Associations is not an act which the plaintiffs have standing to challenge. There is no invasion of the legal rights of plaintiffs which they have standing to protect and though the disposition of the income from operations of the vending machines may be illegal, as plaintiffs assert, still they lack standing to enjoin such action and the officials of the Post Office Department because no invasion of their legal rights exists." The case was appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which affirmed the judgement of the District Court, thereby prompting the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. A decision should be forthcoming as to whether the U.S. Supreme Court will accept jurisdiction of this case during the October term of the Court. The petitioners' claim that the assignment of vending machine income to Postal Employees' Associations is illegal is based upon two decisions of the Comptroller General of the United States and upon the fact that there is no statutory authority for such assignment as there is in the case of licensed blind operators. As a result of this litigation the pending amendments to the Randolph-Sheppard Act, S. 2461, provide for exclusive assignment of vending machine income and for standing for judicial review of administrative actions. S. 2461 is being supported by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, the American Council of the Blind, and all other major organizations of and for the Blind. ***** ** Blind Lawyers Conference -- 1970 By John Vanlandingham The American Blind Lawyers Association, known as ABLA, held its second annual conference in conjunction with the convention of the American Council of the Blind in Oklahoma City, July 12-14, 1970. Response by those in attendance indicated that the conference was highly successful, particularly in regard to discussions of mutual problems in the practice of law. The Association adopted as its main projects for the ensuing year the following: 1. Establishing a nationwide directory of blind lawyers, judges, and teachers, and encouraging membership in ABLA. 2. Development of a library and clearing house for information on legal material available in Braille and on tape, and disseminating this information to blind lawyers, judges, teachers, and students. 3. Development and transcription of additional Braille and tape legal material. 4. Encouraging the College Work/Study Program, to make personnel available to blind persons for scholastic and vocational purposes. 5. Development of guidelines for blind law students, together with a student counselling program. The following Officers and Directors were elected in accordance with the by-laws adopted at the conference: President - Judge John Vanlandingham, 5800 North 19th Avenue, Suite 106, Phoenix, Arizona 85015. First Vice-President - Vernon Williams, Aberdeen, South Dakota. Second Vice-President - Philip E. Pofcher, Roslindale, Massachusetts. Treasurer - Oral O. Miller, 6327 13st Place, N. W., Washington, D.C. 20015. Secretary - Durward K. McDaniel, 20 E Street, N. W., Suite 215, Washington, D.C. 20001. Board of Directors - Professor T. M. Boyd, Charlottesville, Va.; Judge Reese Robrahn, Topeka, Kansas; John Nelson, Montevideo, Minnesota; Garland Dowling, Washington, D.C.; Marcus Roberson, San Antonio, Texas; Robert McMullen, Oak Lawn, Illinois John P. Patterson, Buffalo, New York; Paul Kirton, Woodford, Virginia. Any blind person licensed to practice law in any jurisdiction within the United States or its territorial possessions is eligible for voting membership in ABLA. Any blind student preparing for the practice of law is eligible for student membership. Any interested person wishing to support the aims and goals of ABLA may be an associate member. Each person joining the American Blind Lawyers Association on or before December 31, 1970, shall be a charter member of the organization. Dues for members of ABLA are: Twelve dollars a year for voting members who have been licensed to practice law for five years or more; six dollars a year for voting members who have been licensed for less than five years; three dollars a year for student members and associate members. ABLA will conduct its 1971 annual conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the month of July. Details of the conference will be announced in the BRAILLE FORUM and by special bulletins. Interested persons are invited to communicate with any of the above-named Officers or Directors. ***** ** VIDPI Holds Annual Meeting The first "annual" meeting of the Visually Impaired Data Processors International was held at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma July 13 through 15, 1970. Conceived in July 1969, chartered in October 1969, VIDPI boasts some seventy-five members, most of whom are charter members and about fifty percent of whom attended the Oklahoma City conference. At the time of the first regular business meeting, the officers for the coming year were elected, and important resolutions were adopted which will help to structure VIDPI's activities for this and perhaps several years to come. Needless to say only a small portion of the 2 1/2 day conference in Oklahoma City was taken up with the business and the board of directors' meetings. Dr. S. Bradley Burson, Conference Chairman and Projects Officer of VIDPI, organized conducted enlightening sessions dealing with timely subjects of interest to blind data processors, employers rehabilitation counselors, instructors and manufacturers. Dr. Burson was assisted in the various sessions by the following persons. Mr. Bryant Moore, Placement Specialist of the State of Colorado Division of Rehabilitation, Section of Services for the Blind, led the discussion of the selection, training and placement of blind computer programmers. The goal of this portion of the conference was to outline information to be presented in a guidelines brochure for rehabilitation counselors which will be published later this year. Mr. Robert A. J. Gildea of the MITRE Corporation directed the discussion of technical, educational and other pertinent information and resources available to the visually impaired data processor. Dr. Charles E. Hallenbeck of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, conducted the sessions dealing with the review of techniques, skills, aids, etc., developed by and for the blind programmers. A tremendous amount of useful information was elicited as a result of programmer participation and most able leadership of the above-named gentlemen VIDPI believes that to work together is to grow together. For this reason the majority of the resolutions adopted at the business meeting called for the appointment of committees to study and implement services and objectives to which VIDPI is dedicated. For example, a committee was appointed to implement a central clearing house for the exchange of technical information for blind data processors. Another committee will draft a proposal to the Library of Congress to implement a new service to meet the growing need of the blind in computer work for technical documents in Braille which might perhaps be provided through computerized magnetic tape document maintenance by computer manufacturers. Yet another committee will endeavor to provide communication among blind programmers through a VIDPI publication whose aim it shall be to supplement, rather than replace, any existing publication. Another committee was appointed which will study the advantages and disadvantages of possible affiliation of VIDPI with some other organization. Through the efforts of these committees as well as the entire VIDPI membership it is felt that the goals of better communication and exchange of information among the visually impaired data processors can soon be a reality. Two resolutions adopted which required no committees but which certainly had the support of the entire membership were those resolutions expressing VIDPI's appreciation to Mr. Robert A. J. Gildea and Dr. Charles E. Hallenbeck, the Association for Computing Machinery and the MITRE Corporation for their continued assistance and support of blind programmers. The second resolution expressed equal appreciation and gratitude to the American Council of the Blind and to Dr. S. Bradley Burson for their efforts in behalf of VIDPI. It goes without saying that the American Council of the Blind has played a most significant role in the establishment and organization of VIDPI, and for all this the VIDPI membership is eternally grateful. Through the generosity of the ACB VIDPI held its first annual meeting in Oklahoma City, and the VIDPI members accepted the invitation extended them to meet in Milwaukee prior to the ACB National Convention in July 197l. VIDPI is still young, and the membership heartily appreciates the kindnesses thus far offered. The new VIDPI officers express their thanks to the membership for the privilege of serving this worthy group. VIDPI wishes to invite visually impaired data processors who have not already done so to join our energetic and enthusiastic organization. For information concerning membership, please contact the treasurer or any one of the officers listed below. President: Raythel E. Jones; Aeronautical Center, AC-300, FAA, Dept. Transportation, P. O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125 Vice-President: Robert E. LaGrone; IBM Federal Systems Division, 18100 Frederick Pike, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20760 Secretary: Mrs. Helen F. Moore, 1127 South Harrison Street, Denver, Colorado 80210 Treasurer: Richard Snipas; 166 South Bay Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520 Projects Officer: Dr. S. Bradley Burson; Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60438 Board Members at Large: Miss Nancy Snyder; 233 North Craig Street, Apt. 301, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213 Robert A. J. Gildea; The MITRE Corporation, P.O. Box 208, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 Helen F. Moore, Secretary Visually Impaired Data Processors International ***** ** Blind Lions Organize By Fred C. Lilley At the recent convention of the American Council of the Blind, a group of men who had two things in common -- all were blind and all were members of Lions Clubs -- met in Oklahoma City. The major result of the meeting was their decision to form a permanent organization. For several years, the existence of such an organization has been a dream of mine. But it was Floyd Qualls, the Convention Chairman for the ACB convention in Oklahoma acted as the catalyst who brought the dream to fruition. It was approximately two months prior to the Oklahoma convention when I received a letter from Mr. Qualls in which he asked if I would act as chairman at a luncheon for "blind Lions." This was quite a privilege, I felt, and I accepted. Immediately we went to work. In a very short time, we were able to secure the names and addresses of about 35 blind men who belonged to Lions Clubs throughout the country. Each of these men was contacted by mail. Time was too limited to do the public relations work which such a project deserved, but Floyd, with his tireless efforts, managed to furnish names and addresses as well as duplicate the letter which was sent out to the "blind Lions." Even more important, however, he was able to secure as guest speaker the services of a man who, by his very presence, insured the success of the luncheon. This was none other than Dr. Robert D. McCullough, affectionately known as "Dr. Bob." "Dr. Bob" delivered one of the most inspiring talks it has ever been my pleasure to hear. He quoted at length from two speeches given by Helen Keller and which were made before two Lions International conventions, one in Cedar Point, Ohio in 1925, and the other at Chicago, Illinois in 1953. It was the 1925 speech which resulted in the unanimous adoption of a resolution which committed Lions everywhere to work for sight conservation, sight restoration and aid to the blind. Among the people in attendance were Past International President Briggs of Oklahoma City, several District Governors, and numerous Lions Club presidents and Lions in the local area. In all, 160 people enjoyed the luncheon and program which followed. Nationally known blind Lions who attended were Roy Kumpe, Director of Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind; Paul Knowles of Leader Dogs for the Blind; Pete Campbell of Guiding Eyes for the Blind; and Don Nold of Dialogue Magazine. Jack Lewis, a Lion from Macon, Ga., announced that his club has assumed the responsibility of putting on tape the Lions magazine, "lion." This was good news, and it illustrates why an organization such as ours is needed. Don Nold also announced that the fall issue of Dialogue would be even more important than ever and urged all to read it. At a meeting following the luncheon, the blind Lions voted to meet again in Milwaukee in 1971 and discussed the formation of an International Association of Blind Lions. "Dr. Bob" agreed to use his influence in prevailing upon First Vice President Lion Robert Uplinger, who by the time the Milwaukee convention takes place will be President, to be the guest speaker at that time. Won't you help to make our next year's meeting an even bigger success? Please send me the names and addresses of any blind Lions whom you may know, and you can encourage qualified blind men to join their local club. In this way our organization will grow, and it can be a strong influence on the activities of Lions everywhere. ***** ** Bad News for Handicapped Workers Should handicapped workers in workshops and related facilities be eligible to receive unemployment compensation? This question was answered in the negative by Congress in its enactment of H.R. 14705. Other employees of non-profit organizations will now be covered by unemployment insurance protection. The Senate Committee on Finance amended the bill to provide coverage for handicapped workers, but that amendment was deleted by the joint conferees, and the bill finally passed with handicapped workers excluded from coverage. Senator Paul J. Fannin of Arizona introduced amendment No. 507 on February 19, 1970, and Senator Vance Hartke of Indiana introduced an identical amendment, No. 550, on March 9, 1970. We acknowledge their help in attempting to obtain unemployment insurance coverage for handicapped workers. ACB presented testimony and a written statement before the Committee of Finance on February 18, 1970. The Council's position is summarized as follows: 1. ACB favors unemployment compensation coverage for all employees of non-profit organizations. 2. ACB favors basing such coverage on one or more employees rather than on four or more. 3. ACB opposes the exclusion of workers performing services in facilities conducted for the purpose of carrying out a program of rehabilitation for individuals whose earning capacity is impaired by age or physical or mental deficiency or injury, or providing remunerative work for individuals who, because of their impaired physical or mental capacity, cannot be absorbed into the competitive labor market. 4. ACB favors coverage for all workers performing services for a facility which has been certified to participate in the filling of purchase of the federal government pursuant to 41 U.S.C. Sections 46-48. ***** ** Thank You From Loretta Freeman Thank you, ACB -- and especially Alma, Earl and George -- for your kind, thoughtful and generous gesture in presenting me the New Freeman Award for 1970. It wasn't until later in my room, when I read the beautiful certificate and looked at the generous check, that I fully realized their meaning. Having been quite content with the warmth of reflected glory whenever some nice opportunity or recognition came our way, I was unprepared for the expression of love and gratitude that came directly to me. So, may I express to each of you, here in the FORUM, my humble thanks and appreciation. I would like to take this opportunity to report a bit on the activities here in the tape office. Nearly two hundred persons representing all states except Hawaii and Alaska, and including Canada, read the FORUM on tape. Several regional and other libraries receive tapes and distribute them. Early in the life of the tape library it was found impractical to send tapes out of the country because of mail delays. We are very proud of our excellent volunteer readers, June and Gus Mann, who might well be called professionals in this work. June reads for the Library of Congress and Gus delights in amateur theatricals. It has been my pleasure to see him perform on several occasions and he is very good. Through the years we have become close friends, and the FORUM is most fortunate to have such qualified and dedicated assistance. Without the Manns we could not function. When the master is ready I take a hundred tapes and copy ten at a time at our Regional Library where other good friends, Lee Steele, Director; Bob Manning, Librarian, and the entire staff are most cooperative. There is here in the office a marvelous Taben Duplicator, the gift of Hubert Smith, President of Ways and Means for the Blind, on which additional single copies are made, including copies of the Cranmer Abacus and other material. Our tape readers are especially good about returning the tapes promptly and in good condition. However, it takes about six weeks for an issue to reach all readers and then there is just time to erase the tapes and get ready to start over again. When tapes are returned three times without having been read the name is removed from the file. The only help I have in the office is an occasional assist from grandchildren. We sometimes form an assembly line with the first mailing, and I get a bit dizzy trying to keep it running smoothly -- and here is where errors sometime occur. Once when I was out of town a granddaughter mailed three back issues by mistake, but usually each tape is checked before being remailed. This is a labor of love. We all feel Ned would want us to continue with the tape library which he established. The titles on file were chosen by him and there have. been some special requests. We had one to copy an "educational" book on sex. After a struggle with our prudishness, we tried, but, much to our relief, we were refused a copyright. Requests are always welcome. We will do our best. Getting readers is not always a simple matter and we would be grateful for volunteers. Remember, The Tape Library is an ACB Special Service. And, again, Thank You. ***** ** ACB Tape Service The following titles are now on file in the FORUM Tape Office. We will copy any item on your own tape without charge or make a copy for you for a flat price of $1.50 per 7" reel. Address: American Council of the Blind Tape Service 136 Gee's Mill Road, Conyers, GA 30207. Using the Cranmer Abacus for the Blind - Fred Gissone Electronic Aids for the Blind - T.Q. Benham, PhD New Frontiers for Research on Deaf-Blindness - HEW Conference - Selection, Training and Placement of Blind Teachers - HEW Characteristics and Trends of Clients Rehabilitated - HEW A Symposium - No Time to Lose - Pauline Moore, AFB (On the education of multiple impaired blind children) Proceedings - Institute on Problems of Training Newly Blind Homemakers - Prepared by Western Michigan U. A Guide to Rehabilitation Services - Morgan Memorial, Boston Teaching Housekeeping to Blind Homemakers - Joy Gilpin, Brooklyn Bureau of Social Service Suggestions for functioning as a Sighted Guide - Frances Ryan, Braille Institute of America, Inc. Report of the National Advisory Council of Welfare - "Having the Power we have the Duty" - HEW Selected Games from "Hoyles Book of Games" Broadcast Talks - Right or Wrong - C.S. Lewis, London. Think and Grow Rich Earl Nightengale Origin of the Races - Carlton Coons (7 reels) Back issues of THE BRAILLE FORUM On 3" reels - Closed Circuit TV for the Blind Cross Code for Communicating with the Deaf Blind Letter on Computer Programming - Glenn Fishbeck ***** ** The Luckiest Guy in the World From the NATIONAL NEWS OF THE BLIND (Canada): It had been a long uphill struggle, but Grant Brooks was now a university graduate with a B.A. degree -- even though while at college he'd never read a book or taken a single note. Just before his 13th birthday he had developed Devic's Disease, which caused total blindness, impaired coordination, lack of sensitivity in the hands, as well as paralysis from the waist down. Doctors said he would never walk again. His teacher worked hours and months, patiently helping him to exercise -- coaxing his legs to do their job. Today he can walk miles with only his white cane to guide him. He tells time on his Braille watch by using the tip of his tongue. Not until the electric typewriter came along was Grant able to overcome the writing problem. He now types letters for himself -- laboriously and painstakingly, but he does it -- by using his tongue instead of his fingers. In 1965 Grant was accepted at the University of Toronto as a mature student. The professors and his fellow students were always exceptionally helpful and understanding. He attended lectures listening carefully, his well-trained memory deftly sorting and filing an amazing array of facts and figures. Examinations were taken orally. After graduation the fact that he couldn't make notes or in some way check reference material always seemed to scare off prospective employers. After six months of frustrating disappointment, however, his chance finally came. He obtained a job at George Brown College in the Information Center. The college offers 150 day courses and 350 evening courses at its six campuses. In his capacity as Information Officer Grant must be able to answer any question about the college curriculum. To do this he has committed the complete syllabus to memory. He is walking George Brown College Encyclopedia! "I'm the luckiest guy in the world -- bar none!" declares Grant. ***** ** Vitamins for Retinitis (Reprinted from the June-July issue of the AOA News, published by the American Optometric Association) Vitamin A therapy, if started early enough, may prevent retinal degeneration or reverse damage in patients with generalized hereditary retinal degeneration (retinitis pigmentosa), according to Dr. R. E. Carr of the New York School of Medicine. Administration of the vitamin improved retinal function in patients who were tested and characterized by generalized retinal degeneration, night blindness, and ataxia. "Ocular findings in patients with the syndrome are in no way different from those in retinitis pigmentosa," he pointed out. The effectiveness of vitamin A in preventing retinal degeneration or reversing retinal damage in retinitis pigmentosa can only be demonstrated, however, if children with this disease are treated from early life with the vitamin. ***** ** Here and There By George Card From the CBBI NEWSLETTER (Calif.): At a recent meeting of the Board of the California Blind Businessmen, they engaged the services of the Kelly Girl Company to take the minutes. At the following meeting of this Board it was voted to destroy the minutes because they were hopelessly bad. The Board members didn't mind so much, being scrambled up and renamed, but the records showed statements that didn't even make sense to the members who were supposed to have made them. The Missouri CHRONICLE reports that Floyd Qualls, ACB Board member and Finance Chairman, will be the banquet speaker at the MFB convention next October. -- Ewald Toensing, blind, Okawville, Illinois, has invented and built a cattle chute with a novel hinged deck which can be raised or lowered to the height of a truck bed or loading platform. -- John D. Twiname, the Federal Welfare Administrator, vows a crackdown against 39 states now failing to meet government welfare requirements. A number of apparent state violations cut to the heart of court and congressional reform actions in the past three years aimed at enlarging the rights of welfare recipients. Ten states have not implemented the work incentive law which requires the disregarding of the first $30 earnings and 1/3 of the remainder in computing welfare payments; eight states still have minimum residency requirements, and nine states have questionable fair hearings procedures. -- The laser cane, in its present stage of development, cost about $5,000 but could be reduced to about $500 in mass production. We welcome the ICB TRUMPET'S VOICE, newsletter of our fine new Iowa affiliate. The Jewish Guild for the Blind points out that there is a delay of from one to twenty years after the onset of blindness before help is found. Some of the reasons for this delay are false hope of recovery, gradual progression in visual loss, confusion about definitions of blindness, the social stigma attached to blindness, lack of knowledge about specialized services, failure by attending physician to refer or give information about services, lack of diligence by some agencies in searching for clients and sometimes the special language or technical jargon used by agency personnel interferes with communication. Many industrial workers who become totally blind take it for granted that they cannot return to their old skilled employment. David Bandy, 28, of Indianapolis, did become totally blind in 1968 but after only a few months of intensive adjustment training and the invention of a special safety device for his machine by his counselor Marvin Price, he has successfully returned to the Diamond Chain Company at his former job and is doing extremely well. Counselor Price believes he can now find other openings for blind clients at this plant. -- Joseph Iozzi, who lost his sight when his tank was hit during World War II, operates a ham radio set from the basement of his home. As a ham Mr. Iozzi handles a heavy amount of "traffic" or calls from hams on military bases in countries with no telephone service to the U.S. or from vessels at sea to the families of the men serving on these bases or ships. He has also handled calls from priests and missionaries in South America and from Peace Corps workers in the jungles of Central America. He received the DAV's Distinguished Service Award. His call letters are WA3GDB. -- Hoosier STARLIGHT. From the Montana OBSERVER: Eastern Montana College now has a special sound-proofed reading room in operation at the college library equipped with tape recorders, braillewriters, etc., for the use of blind students. From the NAC STANDARD-BEARER: Some time in the next few months the Internal Revenue Service is expected to announce that tax-exempt agencies must refile to maintain their tax exemption under the Act of 1969. Tax-exempt agencies and schools for the blind should watch for this announcement. When it comes, get all the necessary instructions and file promptly. The tax deductibility of contributions made to your organization may depend on it. For those living in or near New York City, the American Foundation has now opened a store where products and equipment will be available for retail sale. The KAB NEWS (Kansas) reports that the major success in the 1970 session of the state's legislature was the enactment of a "Little Randolph-Sheppard Act," providing that public buildings of the state, cities and counties shall make space available for stands to be operated by blind persons and that the operators are to have the right to install and operate automatic vending machines. -- The 1969 membership drive, with appropriate prizes (a points for a new legally blind member; 1 for a new sighted member), was so successful that it is being repeated this year. -- The KAB Credit Union declared a 5% semi­annual dividend. -- Our Kansas affiliate has sent letters to ophthalmologists, optometrists, the State School for the Visually Handicapped and the State Rehabilitation Center, urging that patients, students and clients be alerted to the implications of hereditary blindness and what this would mean to their offspring. The response has been very gratifying. From INSIGHT (Seattle, Wash.): A newspaper ad seeking volunteer readers for blind students brought 200 telephone calls in the first week. -- Practical courses are now being offered in night sessions at the Seattle Rehabilitation Center. -- An attempt was recently made to limit the use of white cane to blind persons who had accepted mobility training. It failed. -- "The blind person tends to get lost in the cracks when offered service by agencies carrying a general caseload," writes Peter Salmon. Almost invariably he is assigned to a low priority owing to extensive time, skills and costs needed to rehabilitate him in the estimation of the general caseworker. From the May NEW OUTLOOK: Specially designed sewing machines for blind and physically handicapped persons are now being produced by Husqvarna, the Swedish appliance manufacturer. Special features include levers instead of knobs, raised dot indications on the controls, a guide that assists in feeding the fabric straight and an English language instruction manual in braille. Further information about the Husqvarna sewing machines is available from Holger Lundbergh, Swedish Information Service, 825 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. -- President Nixon has signed P.L. 91-113 banning toys which are electrically, mechanically or thermally hazardous. The sponsors of the law hope that these measures, if adequately implemented, will minimize blindness among children as a result of accidents from toys. -- A new system of traffic lights was installed recently near the National Blind Peoples Association in Alicante, a city of 112,000 on the southeastern coast of Spain. The lights, which flash the usual red, yellow and green, are equipped with a carillon which emits music three seconds after the green light goes on. Officials in Alicante claim that the "audio-traffic lights" are the first in the world. From the AAWB NEWS AND VIEWS: A one-year graduate course for future teachers of the blind, leading to degrees of Ed.S. and Ph.D., is planned for Michigan State University. Under PL 85-926 MSU anticipates Master's level and Post-Master's level fellowships to award to qualified applicants: All tuition and fees, plus - $2,200 per calendar year to full-time students at the Master's degree level, plus $600 for each dependent; $3,200 per calendar year to full-time students at the Post-Master's level, plus $600 for each dependent; a number of graduate assistantships are also available. Interested persons should immediately write to Mrs. Lou Alonso, Coordinator of the Program for the Visually Handicapped, Room 213, Erickson Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823. It is estimated that seven million American children -- one in ten -- need some form of special education. You can now write to "Closer Look, Box 1492, Washington, D.C. 20013." The above was in answer to a letter from a woman who wrote, "According to his doctors, my young son will go completely blind -- probably within the next two years. I am trying to prepare all I can." From the AP: Iowa citizens and others have contributed $2,500 so that seven-year-old Billy Long, who will be blind in a few weeks, can make his dearest dream come true by seeing Disneyland. From the Washington WHITE CANE: Only 25 out of thousands of Seattle high school seniors have finished with a straight "A" gradepoint, one of the 25 being Mark Steven Johnson, who is blind. From the CCB OUTLOOK (Canada): A total of 7134 pounds of used stamps were turned in during the past year and were sold to a dealer for $4160.20, all of which will go toward stamping out leprosy in the underdeveloped parts of the world. -- In commemoration of Canada's 100th birthday the CCB presented a fully equipped mobile eye clinic to the Indian government. The target in India this year is 500 eye camps and 20,000 sight-restoring operations. -- On April 1 Mrs. Marcelle Cowburn, former Rehabilitation Officer of the World Veterans Federation, became the Secretary­General of the World Council, succeeding John Jarvis. -- The CCB will hold its 26th annual convention in New Brunswick September 21-24. -- Since the passing of the Corneal Tissues Act in 1955, Ceylon has been spectacularly successful in obtaining 300,000 offers to donate corneas after death and is the only Asian country with a surplus of corneal tissue. The GFB DIGEST reports that Jack Lewis, President of the GFB and a member of the ACB Publications Committee, has been selected as Lion of the Year. The state Lions Governors however, refused for the second time in three years to support legislation to improve working conditions at the Georgia workshop and to increase public assistance to the Georgia blind. They did this on the grounds that it was "politics." Yet the Lions in almost every state actively lobbied for the legislation which resulted in white cane traffic laws in all our states. It would be interesting to know how they made this distinction -- one politics and the other not. -- "From the Ashes, a Beautiful New Facility": The tragic loss of Atlanta's Braille Library by fire early in 1969 has proved to be a blessing in disguise. The fine new Comprehensive Vision Center which opened in July is a dream come true. It includes practically everything that is available today for the education of blind persons. There is equipment for producing braille by the latest computer methods, for enlarging printed material and for producing taped material. In addition, there will be an eye clinic for examination and for low-vision aids. Frank Lugiano, of Wilkes-Barre, former long-time President of the PFB, won the nomination of his party for a seat in the Pennsylvania legislature and is considered to have an excellent chance of coming out on top in November. If he makes it, it will be a great victory for the blind of this state, From the WEEKLY NEWS: All but two states -- Nebraska and Alaska -- have now adopted the "Uniform Anatomical Gifts Act." A hospital patient may now bequeath his body or specific organs for medical research by filling out a card and the surgeons can operate immediately without negotiating with the next of kin -- a delay which previously was highly frustrating because of tissue deterioration during the negotiations. The ILLINOIS BRAILLE MESSENGER reports that our new ACB First Vice-President, Dr. S. Bradley Burson, has persuaded Sen. Ralph Smith to introduce Senate Bill 3644, granting airline travel concessions to the blind similar to those now in effect on railroads and bus lines. Write the senators from your own state. In the past the NFB has fought this measure and will probably do so again. -- Attention all Hams: Be sure to tune in on the ACB net during the noon hour on 14.305. Blinded in 1944 Robert Watson is now a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Brighton, co-chairman of the Swimming Pool Association, member of the steering committee for the newly formed Area Chamber of Commerce, belongs to local, state and national bar associations and has now become a full partner in a noted law firm. This last holds for him the same thrill as a mountain climber reaching the top of Mount Everest. ***** ** Blind Students to Form Interest Group Once again, need is the mother of invention. During the Oklahoma City convention of the American Council of the Blind, a resolution was adopted to create a student association which could act as a medium of communication between blind students and agencies serving blind students. But even more important than this, the co-authors of this resolution feel that the mere exchange of information among students with common problems is valuable, and indeed necessary, to help smooth out those bumps on that long road to success. Many of the problems faced by blind students are obvious even to the casual observer. Obtaining materials in a readable form, working effectively with sighted readers, and the taking of examinations are just a few. But there are other unforeseen difficulties that only the veteran student can appreciate. How do you deal with a professor who thinks blindness prevents one from achieving his vocational goal? Or what about one's fellow students? Is the blind person thought of as somehow different? A novelty? An object of pity? Or is he or she thought of as the life of every party, an active member in student government, or as just an ordinary guy or gal? Every student, blind or sighted, must be assimilated into school life, and if this adjustment does not occur, a miserable, lonely life results. If you are interested in helping to lay the framework of this organization, and if you are currently engaged in study on the secondary level or up, please write to us and include the following information: 1. Name 2. Address 3. Age 4. Educational background (schools attended, major and present grade level) 5. Vocational objective 6. What do you expect this organization to do for you? 7. Degree of visual impairment. Conceivably, a directory of association members could be published which would benefit all of us. A new student could, through the directory, contact a veteran student in his area for advice and counsel, and another member, perhaps one who is contemplating a laboratory course in chemistry, could contact a chemistry major for help with lab techniques. We cannot promise a personal reply to every letter, but we will keep you posted on new developments through the FORUM. Of course, inquiries from non-students interested in associate membership are welcomed. The organizational meeting will be held in Milwaukee next July, but in the meantime let us know of your interest and what you think a student organization should do. Send Braille communications to me, Scott Marshall, 6 Angelacrest Lane, West Seneca, New York 14224. Print correspondence should be directed to Mike Byington 950 Drury Lane, Wichita, Kansas. Remember: "When opportunity knocks, you must open the door." ***** ** ACB Officers President: Judge Reese Robrahn, 329 Woodbury Lane, Topeka, Kansas 66606 First Vice-President: Dr. S. Bradley Burson, 917 Kenyon Street, Downers Grove, Ill. 60515 Second Vice-President: Vernon Williams, 217 Western Union Bldg., Aberdeen, South Dakota 54701 Secretary: Mrs. Mary Jane Schmitt, 510 Tarrington Road, Rochester, New York 14609 Treasurer: Fred Krepela, 241 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301 ** Directors Mrs. Cathie Skivers, 836 Resota St., Hayward, California 94545 George Card, 605 South Few St., Madison, Wisc. 53703 Floyd Qualls, 106 N. E. 2nd St., Oklahoma City, Okla. 73104 Earl Scharry, 5714 Ridgeway Ave., Rockville, Md. 20851 J. Edward Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Ave., Charlotte, N.C.28205 David Krause, 2121 P Street, N. W., Washington, D.C. 20037 Fred Lilley, 7629 Dale Ave., Richmond Heights, Mo. 63117 ###